Inmates at the Marikina city jail who are availing themselves of the Department of Education’s Alternative Learning System (ALS) are confident that the knowledge they will learn inside the jail through the non-formal education course will pave the way for them to educate their own families, too.

Some of the inmates interviewed by Manila Bulletin also expressed satisfaction that their education will be a big help once they are given the chance to gain freedom after acquittal.

“Thanks to the ALS, we are able to study here inside the cells,” one of the inmates said in the vernacular.

One of those taking the course is Gaudencio Ibacitas, 42, who faces drug pushing and drug possession charges.

“I am happy because whatever I learn here would be useful and additional knowledge for me and my children once I get out of jail,” he said, adding that he is particularly interested in the English language classes.

“My English is poor that’s why I am interested. Once I am able to get out I know it would be difficult to find a job because I have a criminal record, but it’s still okay since I was able to study here,” he said.

Ibacitas said he only finished his freshman year in high school.

Gonzalo de los Santos, 19, who has been in jail for six years for a homicide case, said he really admires fellow inmates who can speak a little English.

“I just finished Grade 1 and I want to learn even a little English,” he said.

Cris Labrador, a 19-year-old murder suspect, said that whether he is acquitted or convicted of the crime, he is determined to pursue studying in jail or outside.

“Once I am acquitted I will go back to school. I only finished Grade 5. Even if I am convicted I would still continue attending the ALS; it’s additional knowledge and it helps ease the loneliness,” he narrated.

Another 19-year-old, Joselito Acquilisa, who is charged with theft, said the ALS program being offered by the Department of Education boosts inmates’ hopes that they could still be educated and learn inside the jail.

A total of 37 inmates in Marikina have availed of the program, which started last week. The city jail has a total of 404 inmates, both male and female.

Deputy Jail Inspector Nicanor Ambaja, spokesperson and concurrent deputy jail warden, said the ALS is a pilot project of Senior Inspector Darwin Agullo, the jail warden.

Each program will last for ten months and each inmate is required to complete 3 hours of daily lessons before they could graduate or be given a certificate of completion in their studies. The student inmates are divided into the elementary and high school categories.

The office of Vice Mayor Dr. Marion Andres provides school materials for free while the DepEd provides mentors to teach the inmates.